Micro-irrigation: what are the benefits?

When setting up your garden or balcony may ask the question of its sprinkler system: what type of irrigation equipment to install? Micro-irrigation can be an attractive option as it reduces its use of water and fertilizer. Discovery of this process, and review its benefits.

What is micro-irrigation?

Widely used in arid areas and on sandy soils, micro-irrigation, also known as localized irrigation, is a watering technique that allows constant irrigation of plants through a system designed to bring water directly to their roots, and this on a regular basis with a small amount of water..

It is believed that this system has been used since antiquity, when clay pots filled with water were buried in the soil so that irrigation of crops is carried out by infiltration, gradually. This ancient technique, also known as jar irrigation, is now attracting a lot of interest because it saves a lot of water,up to 50%.

What are the benefits of watering?

Among the many benefits of micro-irrigation are:

• First of all, efficiency: water is distributed as close as possible to the roots of plants, in such a way that there is very little loss. Losses by evaporation, insofar as water intake is regular but in small quantities, are virtually nil;
• Beyond yield, better soil health: by using micro-irrigation, you sign the end of problems related to standing water or soil leaching (which can deprive the earth of its nourishing elements), usually driven by conventional watering;
• Also, better plant health: this method of water distribution helps to rule out burns or fungal diseases that sometimes affect the leaves, as long as the foliage is spared from watering. Goodbye parasites and fungi, but also weeds that are not fed;
• Finally, the possibility of scheduling watering: sprinkler programmers exist and allow to automate your irrigation. Useful in case you are going on holiday, or if you want watering to take place at the time when the water losses by evaporation are the lowest, i.e. during the night. More accurate programmers, connected to a moisture sensor, can even provide plants with water only if the soil is not moist enough.

What are the drawbacks of micro-irrigation?

As you will have understood, the benefits of micro-irrigation are numerous. There are few drawbacks, but there are still a few:

• On largeareas, the installation of an irrigation system may require d’significant investment;
• The system can become clogged when the water is too limestone;
• Poor watering management or the use of unsuitable equipment can have adverse consequences on plant development and good health. This is why it can be useful to call on a professional to install your irrigation system: you will avoid the pitfalls of watering that you think is beneficial and which is actually counterproductive.

What micro-irrigation system should you opt for?

There are several systems that allow watering of plants by micro-irrigation, including the porous hose and drip.

The porous pipe

This system is particularly suitable for irrigation of plantations  where plants are in line and tight, such as vegetable gardens or hedgerows.

Connected to the conventional garden hose, the porous hose is installed on the ground to serve several plants of the same line or row. Designed in a porous material and operating at very low pressure, it allows water that drip oozes to pass through and thus waters the plants as close as possible to their roots.

The trick in times of high heat when water evaporates easily: cover the system with mulch,in order to limit water loss.

The drip

Thanks to a pipe connected to the outside tap, attached to the ground by spikes and connected to dropers to irrigate the feet of plants, the drip system   allows a constant but reduced watering of your garden.

The installation of a power plant may be necessary to ensure the low flow of water required by micro-irrigation, and to distribute tap water in the various pipes.

In store, there are different models of pipes,to which are integrated or not the droppers. When this is not the case, it is possible to install them in bypass in order to properly feed each of the plants you wish to irrigate. If necessary, you can also install a system of the same type on your balcony,in smaller proportions obviously and with a pump immersed in a water tank if it does not have water infurle. By adding a programmer to this device, you are equipped with the ideal system to manage the watering of plantations and flowers while you are away!

Gtools,theots of fittings,mini valves,outillage,tuyau drip,rfluted chords...On Multitanks.com, find all our products to install a micro-irrigation system in your garden or on your balcony. Please contact us for more information on our products or advice on watering and irrigation techniques for your plants.